Rig or connection for stirrup leathers or straps



J. T. CONNOLLY. RIG 0R CONNECTION FOR STIRRUP LEATHERS 0R STRAPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1920- Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

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JOHN T. CONNOLLY, OF BILLINGS, MONTANA.

RIG OR CONNECTION FOR STIRRUP LEATHERS OR STRAPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8 1921.

Application filed July 28, 1920. Serial No. 399,487.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN THOMAS CON NOLLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Billings, in the county of Yellowstone and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rigs or Connections for Stirrup Leathers or Straps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to the art of making saddles and more especially to an improved rig or connection for the strap leathers or straps and an object is to provide a device of this kind whereby the rider may have absolute freedom of the stirrup leathers or straps, whereby the rider may spur the horse either in the shoulders or the flank and at the same time retaining a grip to the saddle. Also a device of this kind permits the rider to have free knee action which together with the above object enables the rider to have a great advantage in riding an unbroken, unruly or any other character of horse.

Another object is to provide a device of this kind wherein the stirrup leather or straps do not extend from under the seat, but are suspended forward of the seat, thereby not only eliminating rig or ring sores but also allowing a chance for the feet of the rider to be positioned forwardly. Furthermore as the wear on the stirrup leather or straps is considerably reduced, a saddle which is durable is provided.

Still another object is to provide a rigging of this character that will take less leather and also considerably less labor in producing than those heretofore used, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manufacture.

A further object is to provide a device of this kind wherein the stirrup leather does not extend under the seat and does not cover the rigging ring thereby enabling the rider to have a smooth and comfortable seat, thereby producing an easy riding saddle.

lVhile the design and construction at present illustrated and set forth is deemed preferable, it is obvious that as a result of a reduction of the invention to a more practical form for commercial purposes, the invention may be susceptible to changes, and the right to these changes is claimed, provided they are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the draw1ngs:

Figure l is a view in perspective of a con-'' ventional form of saddle showing the improved rigging or connection as applied thereto, for suspending the stirrup leathers or strap from the saddle,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail View of the rigging showing the positions of one member of the rigging in dotted lines, thereby illust-rating how the stirrup leather or straps can have freedom of movement forwardly and rearwardly as well as outwardly, and

Fig. 3 is an end View of the rigging or connection for the stirrup leathers or straps.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the riggings as whole, which comprise a loop link 2. This link includes the elongated loop 3 which extends in a plane substantially longitudinally of the side of the saddle and is connected at a to the side of the saddle in advance of the seat, and sub stantially directly to the side of the saddle tree 5. The link is provided with an arcuate loop 6 to which the stirrup leather attaching link 7 is connected.

This link 7 also has an elongated loop 8, which, when the stirrup leather or strap depends downwardly assumes a position in a horizontal plane substantially parallel with the side of the saddle. The link 7 has an eye or loop 9, the opening through which is at right angles to the opening of the loop 8, and receives the arcuate portion of the loop' 6.

It will be noted that the loop or eye 9 is relatively narrow and is adapted to swing arcuately on the arcuate portion of the loop 6 either in a direction with the loop 6 or at right.angles thereto. From the disclosure of Fig. 2, it is obvious that this link 7 is capable of movement forwardly and rearwardly, thereby permitting the rider to have freedom of movement as well as a wide degree of knee action enabling the rider to spur the horse in the shoulders or in the flank. Furthermore, this movement of the strip link enables the rider to place his feet forward and his legs in a natural position.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the loops 3 and 6 are closed as well as the loop 7 and the eye 9. These parts are closed as the two links are connected and also it will be noted that the inner wall of the eye 9 is arcuately formed in conformity to the arcuate shape of the loop 6, thereby permitting the eye 9 to move upon the loop 6 freely and easily.

Also by the provision of this improved rig or connection between the stirrup leathers or straps, relieves wear upon the straps or leathers which is the case in the riggings or connections of old type saddles, since the strap or leather is fastened in the loop 7.

The strap or leather is just Wide enough to enter the loop 7 to prevent excessive move ment of the strap relatively to the loop and vice versa. The connection 4 between the saddle and the loop 3 is in the form of a leather loop carried by the saddle in any suitable manner, and this leather loop is just wide enough to enter the loop 3 thereby avoiding excessive movement of the loop 3 relatively to the leather loop of the saddle.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. The combination with a saddle, of a stirrup leather or strap, means of arcuate form extending in a direction longitudinally of the side of the saddle and facing upwardly, and means of corresponding arcuate form having a cooperative sweeping movement slidingly on the first arcuate formed means to insure uniform wear, for connecting the stirrup leather to the saddle, the construction and arrangement bein such that the second means may have freedom of swinging movement forwardly, rearwardly and laterally.

2. The combination with a saddle, of a loop of arcuate form extending in a direc tion longitudinally of the side of the saddle and facing upwardly, a stirrup leather, a

member connecting with the stirrup leather and having an eye, said eye having its opening of arcuate form longitudinally corresponding to the arcuate loop and correspondingly facing upward, the construction and arrangement being such that said eye may have arcuate sweeping movements slidingly on the loop forwardly and rearwardly, and swinging movement laterally to permit the stirrup to likewise move.

3. The combination with a saddle, an elongated metallic loop connected to the side of the saddle for movement laterally thereof, said elongated loop having a depending arcuate loop, a second elongated metallic loop, a stirrup leather having a fold engaging the second elongated metallic loop, the upper bar of the second metallic elongated loop having an eye non-removably receiving the bar of the arcuate loop, the interior of the eye being of a transverse curi 'ature conforming to the curvature of the bar of the arcuate loop, and the upper portion of the wall of the interior of the eye being of elongated arcuate form conforming to the curvature of the bar of the arcuate loop, whereby the stirrup leather may swing forwardly and rearwardly, and may swing laterally whether it is in a forward or rear position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JOHN T. CONNOLLY. 

